Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2009 - (Page 34)

HYDRAULIC MODELS Helping You Make Better Decisions BY SHARAVAN GOVINDAN, TOM WALSKI AND JACK COOK, BENTLEY SYSTEMS, INC. Why hydraulic models? Water utility managers, engineers and operators are regularly required to make decisions regarding the design and operation of their distribution systems. Some questions that frequently face decision makers: • How big should this new pipe be? • Which pump should we buy? • Where should we put the new tank? Decision-makers need to provide justiﬁable answers to these hydraulic questions on how to manage the utility’s distribution assets. Water distribution networks are highlyconnected, complex systems. You change a pump at station A and pressures change many miles away. While intuition and experience are helpful, you also need quantitative and detailed information. Network models can help you answer more detailed questions: • What exactly will pressure be during a peak hour if I use a 6-inch pipe instead of an 8-inch pipe? • When the new subdivision comes online, what will happen to pressures Figure 1: Elevation contours and pressure/elevation profiles in a water network Figure 2: Finding critical pipes and valves to prioritize rehabilitation investment 34 • First Quarter 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2009

Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2009
Contents
From the President
Question & Answer: Water Conservation in the Home
Avoiding the Humpty Dumpty Approach to Data Backup
From the CEO
What the Future Holds
Asset Management for Small Communities
Understanding Your Surface Water Source: The Rivers
Hydraulic Models
Expeditionary Water Packaging System Graces Delta
The Rural Water Rally in April
Training in Hawaii
Regulatory Update
Rural Water Releases Report on Water Infrastructure Projects and Economic Stimulus Legislation
Throwing My Loop
Advertisers.com
Index to Advertisers

Rural Water - Quarter 1, 2009